Bank Accounts

Who has a right to a basic bank account in the UK?

• Certain banks (see below) must give basic bank account to any UK resident.
• This is stated in the Payment Accounts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.

Can I apply for a bank account without utility bills or a fixed address?

• You do not need to provide utility bills.
• You do not need to have a fixed address.

Could I be refused a basic bank account?

• If you are a UK resident you will only be refused if you have criminal convictions for fraud.
• Banks do not have to give basic banks accounts to EU residents.
• The law changed when the UK left the EU.
• The original law was the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015.
  • This says that banks must offer basic bank accounts to anyone living legally in the EU.
• It is now up to the bank to decide if EU residents are given basic bank accounts.

I am a UK resident and have been refused, what can I do?

• You can use this template letter to show to the bank, which states their legal duty.

The following banks are legally required to give you a basic bank account:

• Barclays UK.
• The Co-operative Bank.
• HSBC UK.
• Lloyds Banking Group, including:
  • Halifax.
  • Bank of Scotland brands.
• Nationwide Building Society
• NatWest Group, including:
  • RBS.
  • Ulster Bank brands.
• Santander UK.
• TSB.
• Virgin Money, formerly:
  • Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank.